R&D Director

Monroe Consulting Group; Malaysia; On-site; MYR 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Monroe Consulting Group, an Executive Recruitment firm, partners with an organisation in the Industrial sector to hire a Director, Research & Development (R&D) based in Klang, Selangor, Malaysia. The role leads the R&D function to drive innovation in coated finishing, aluminium-related products, and process improvements, with cross‑functional oversight across production, sales and marketing.

Strong leadership, PhD and 10–15 years of experience required; knowledge of quality systems and local

Qualifications

• PhD in Engineering (Other) or equivalent.
• At least 10–15 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the R&D strategy aligned with vision and market demands.
• Lead new product development from inception to launch, including aluminium/coating products.
• Oversee design, testing, and production of new products; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Guide budgeting and resource allocation for the R&D function.
• Collaborate with production, sales and marketing to align projects with business goals.
• Monitor and report project schedules and performance metrics.

Skills

R&D leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Budget management

Project management

Strategic thinking

Excellent communication

Education

PhD in Engineering

Job description

Monroe Consulting Group, an Executive Recruitment firm, is partnering with an organisation in the Industrial sector to hire a Director, Research & Development (R&D). This opportunity is based in Klang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Position Overview

This role will lead the research and development function to drive innovation, product development, and process improvement in specialised coating solutions. It plays a key role in strengthening the organisation's competitive position through technological advancement, operational excellence, and customer-focused innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the R&D strategy aligned with the company's vision and market demands for coated fin.
• Stay updated on industry trends, technologies, and competitor developments to maintain a competitive edge particularly, in the microelectronics sector, where new technological developments are occurring continuously specifically in paint coating technology.
• Deliver & re-engineer process flow to ensure new products (paint) are cost competitive & consistently staying ahead of market.
• Lead new product development activities from inception to product launch and customer acceptance including overseeing the design, testing, and production of new aluminium/coating related products.
• Provide leadership and guidance for non-routine problems requiring substantial judgement in the independent evaluation, selection and adaptation of standard engineering techniques, procedures and criteria.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including production, sales, and marketing, to ensure alignment of R&D projects with business objectives.
• Track project schedules in conjunction with product management preparing to manage the R&D budget, ensuring cost-effective utilisation of resources.
• Take charge in the internal communication - to discuss the current issues in operations, daily and weekly and external communication - to experiment /develop new type of coating. Review feedback for continuous improvement on paint for added value.
• Ensure all products and processes comply with local and international regulations and implement rigorous quality control and assurance practices.
• Responsible to oversee and manage Customer Service department, including monitoring and reporting metrics such as productivity, response speed and any metric which affect the quality of service.

Key Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in Engineering (Others), Project Management, Research Development or equivalent.
• At least 10 to 15 years of working experience in a related field.
• Japanese nationality/speaking candidate is preferred (expert in aluminium/aluminium coating).

Technical / Functional Expertise

• Strong knowledge of aluminium alloys, extrusion processes, and surface treatments.
• Experience in paint coating technology and aluminium/coating related product development.
• Ability to lead a direct team and a multi functional organisation, integrating complex efforts across multiple business areas.
• Experience managing new product development activities from inception through product launch and customer acceptance.
• Knowledge of quality control, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Experience in project schedule tracking, product management coordination, and R&D budget management.
• Proficient in numerical and analytical skills.

Soft Skills & Leadership Competencies

• Forward-thinking mindset.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Strategic thinking capabilities.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to guide cross-functional teams and manage stakeholder relationships.